Page 139 of Pride High 3: Yellow

“Okay,” he said, holding up his hands in surrender. “You can keep on hating me. I don’t blame you. But I really am sorry. I wish I could change the past. I’d do it all differently. I would have been there for you, no matter how bad it got.”

Diego crossed his arms over his chest. “I gotta get to rehearsals. Don’t keep Ricky waiting. Especially with those assholes around.”

“Understood.” Anthony looked him in the eye, wanting him to feel his sincerity. “Thanks for the rescue. Even though you didn’t do it to save me.”

Diego rolled his eyes. Then he nodded, just once, before walking away. To rehearse for a school play, of all things. And afterwards, he would likely stop by Ricky’s house for a quick kiss before heading home. Anthony had witnessed it happen before from the front porch. He used to think that Diego had changed after his dad died. But now he was wondering if he ever truly knew his former friend.

CHAPTER 23

May 5th, 1993

Omar skated down the sidewalk across the street from Right Round Records, his heart beating so hard that it freaked him out, because he hadn’t even worked up a sweat getting here. He popped his board and grabbed the axle to carry it but didn’t cross the street. Instead he stood there staring at the record store, his pulse still pounding. He struggled to remember the last time he’d gone inside and felt a weird aversion to the idea.

When a mother came down the sidewalk pushing a stroller with a bawling kid inside, it finally motivated him to cross the brick-paved street. Omar made himself think of how pretty his girlfriend was, and how much he loved her. When he went inside, Silvia perked up and seemed so glad to see him that a smile came unbidden. What had he been worried about? She was his girl! He parked his board by the door and walked over to the counter.

“Hi,” she said shyly.

He felt the same way, because it really had been a while. “Hey,” he replied, leaning across the counter.

She pressed her lips to his, and even though it felt good, something about it bothered him. The kiss itself was fine, but a little voice in the back of his mind made him pull away before it could become more serious than a simple peck.

“It’s good to see you,” Silvia said.

“Yeah! You too. Sorry I’ve been so busy lately.”

“With the video yearbook?”

“Yup! I finally got it done.”

“That’s great!” Silvia’s eyes darted to the backpack straps pressing against his shoulders. “I’d love to see it. Did you bring a copy?”

“Huh? Oh. No, I didn’t think to.”

She seemed disappointed, which surprised him.

“I will though,” he said. “if you want.”

“I’ll see it no matter what,” Silvia said. “I made sure to order one.”

“You got the form?” he asked.

After the project got final approval from Principal Preckwinkle, order forms had been distributed. He wasn’t sure how many people would actually buy them, since it was all so last minute, but Mr. Finnegan had promised that next year it would be an option people could check when buying the traditional yearbook.

“I did,” Silvia replied. “I can’t wait to have my copy autographed.”

He laughed, never having considered the possibility. “I’d love that! I’ll get one of those cool metallic silver pens, so it shows up on the tape.”

“You should charge people,” she suggested.

“Nah. I can’t imagine anyone but you wanting my autograph. Except for Anthony maybe. Although at five bucks a pop, that would be an easy ten dollars.”

“I’ll pay for mineandhis,” Silvia promised.

“Big spender! Is that what the good news is about? Did my girlfriend win the lottery?”

“I wish.” Silvia tucked a lock of hair behind her ear demurely. “Get over here so I can tell you properly.”

“Oh, right.” He walked around the counter.